23-04-2025
Chesapeake contractor hit with 25% tariff on materials after rescinded offer
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — Contractors in the housing community are trying to hammer things out as tariffs go into effect, but it's uncertain if the rising cost of materials is concrete.
Furthering his plan to reduce trade deficits, President Donald Trump's reinstating of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in March, hit the hardhat business with a rude awakening.
Chesapeake-based contracting group Atlantic Craftsman, who does roofing, windows, siding and more, is already feeling the impact months in. The company, which has been around for more than 50 years, has never dealt with price hikes on materials to this degree.
Canada, the U.S.'s number one exporter of steel, is where the company's suppliers have their shingles imported from. The company began receiving notices from its suppliers who import from Canada about tariff increases on materials between February and March of this year, according to Atlantic Craftsman manager Kaylin Koenig.
'Our first letter that we received was March 18,' Koenig said. 'And it was just basically a big warning letter of, 'Hey, this is happening. It's going to be a 25% increase,' and just really the unknown of what can continue to happen to us. Everything was set to go into effect as of April 1.'
However, on April 1, things took a an interesting turn when all of the company's suppliers sent a second letter rescinding the initial tariff offer. Koenig says its suppliers gave no specifics as to why. Meantime, they're experiencing a 6% to 10% increase on roofing shingles.
'So we do about two to three roofs a day,' she said, 'so a lot of projects so far have been affected by it. Currently we're having to call a lot of customers, letting them know that we're being affected.'
It's been a waiting game for the company. That was until Monday night. when one of its suppliers who rescinded the offer sent a letter via email at 7.p.m., stating, 'Due to the ongoing and significant cost increases, we are implementing pricing adjustments on coil nails and synthetics, effective today.'
The cost on coil nails will rise for Atlantic Craftsman by a minimum of 25%, and by a minimum of 6% on synthetic underlayment.
'You can't nail on shingles without the nails,' she said. 'So that's also going to be a big impact.'
10 On Your Side reached out to one supplier for comment and are waiting to hear back.
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